The public art trail in Frederick, MD is one of the reasons I fell in love with this hip and historic city in Western Maryland, and it’s always the first thing I tell visitors they should do upon arriving.
In fact, if you only have a few hours to spend in Frederick, following the Frederick art trail will ensure you see much of what gives the vibrant downtown its special appeal. And it’s free.
Public Art Trail Frederick, MD
You can pick up a Frederick art trail guide pamphlet at the visitors center but if you prefer to keep things digital, you can use this interactive guide on your mobile device.
Start your Frederick art trail walk at the Delaplaine Arts Center where you’ll find contemporary art including the wind-sensitive “Artist at Work” sculpture.
Artist at Work
Tip: Go inside the building and look out towards the bridge in Carroll Creek Park. You’ll get the best perspective of an angel you’ll see a bit “differently” further along the trail.
Now you’ll start your walk through Carroll Creek Park and begin your love affair with Frederick. There is so much to see as you stroll this area and there are lots of hidden trompe l’oeil surprises on the Community Bridge that you won’t notice unless you look, so take your time and get sleuthing!
Iron Bridge
Zodiac sculptures are on both sides of the bridge, so look for your sign!
I spent a long time searching the Community Bridge for optical illusions and found so many I had never noticed on my previous visit to Frederick. My favorite finds were the clustered spires paintings!
And remember that angel I talked about earlier? This is how you’ll see her when you get up close – distorted!
Next, you’ll start a section of the trail that winds you through some of the most historic and beautiful spots in downtown Frederick, and there are lots of restaurants and shops to pop in along the way.
Charity, the dog
“The Dreaming”
Fun fact: Frederick native, John Hanson, was the first President of Congress Assembled under the Articles of the Confederation. Eight men served one-year terms; he was the first.
Baker Park – Frederick’s 58-acre playground
“Guess” the dog’s name.
Clarke Fountain in Courthouse Square – an absolutely beautiful part of downtown Frederick
“Earthbound”
Does this pheasant look real or what?
This mural is painted on a parking garage.
In between the art stops, be sure to take a break and admire the many churches of downtown Frederick which give the city its famous skyline of clustered spires.
When you finish this section of the Frederick art trail, you can stroll several blocks further uptown to see two more murals. It’s worth it to see some of the beautiful homes and buildings (and cute shops) along the way.
By the way, if you’re looking for the most instagrammable spots in Frederick, you’ll find a ton of them on the public art trail in Frederick (as you can see from my photos), so it’s yet another excuse to wander it.
In fact, I’m nearly positive it’s something you’ll want to do every time you come to Frederick. It’s one of the best art trails I’ve ever seen.
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I’m convinced there’s no better way to catch a city’s vibe than to explore it on foot, so it’s no surprise to me that my favorite places are those in which I had time to wander, discover and explore on my own… like Frederick.
For more information on the Frederick art trail, local festivals and events, head to the Visit Frederick (Tourism Council of Frederick County, Inc.) website.
